Jahannam Hell's Definition, Life & Punishment in the Holy Quran & Hadith | Dogs of Hell fire

Definition of "Jahannam"

Jahannam is what Hell-Fire in called in Islam, described in the Quran as an afterlife of punishment & unhappiness. Wrongdoers & disbelievers will be punished with eternal fire & pain.

Jahannam comes from an Arabic word which has several meanings, including "a stern look," "darkness," & "storm cloud." Jahannam, therefore, is a place which is scary, dark, & unfriendly.

The Qur'an contains many warnings & descriptions of the severity of this eternal punishment.

The Qur'an describes Jahannam using vivid imagery as a warning to those who disbelieve in Allah. It is described severely as a blazing fire, fueled by "men & stones," with boiling water to drink, & poisonous food to eat that settles in the stomach like molten lead. People will beg to have more time, to return to earth & live again, so that they may correct themselves & believe in the truth of the afterlife. Allaah says in the Qur'an that it will be too late for such people.

"For those who reject their Lord is the Penalty of Hell: And evil is (this) destination. When they are cast therein, they will hear the (terrible) drawing in of its breath even as it blazes forth, almost bursting with fury. Whenever a group is cast into it, its keeper shall ask them: Did there not come to you a warner?" (Qur'an 67: 06-08)

"As to those who reject Faith: if they had everything on earth, & twice repeated, to give as ransom for the penalty of the Day of Judgment, it would never be accepted of them. Theirs would be a grievous penalty. Their wish will be to get out of the Fire, but never will they get out. Their penalty will be one that endures" (05: 36-37)

Islam teaches that disbelievers will spend eternity in Jahannam, while believers who did wrong during their lives will "taste" of the punishment but will ultimately be forgiven by Allaah the Most Merciful. People are judged only by Allaah, and they find out their fate on a day known as Yawm Al-Qiyamah (the Day of Reckoning).

Blazing Fire

The consistent description of Hell in the Quran is as a blazing fire which is fueled by "men & stones." It is thus often called "hell-fire."

"...fear the Fire whose fuel is men & stones,- which is prepared for those who reject Faith" (02: 24).

"...Enough is Hell for a burning fire. Those who reject Our Signs, We shall soon cast into the Fire... For Allah is Exalted in Power, Wise" (04: 55-56).

"But he whose balance (of good deeds) is found to be light, will have his home in a (bottomless) Pit. And what will explain to you what this is? A Fire blazing fiercely!" (101:8-11).

Cursed by Allah

The worst punishment for disbelievers & wrongdoers will be the realization that they have failed. They did not heed Allaah's guidance & warnings, & thus have earned His wrath. The Arabic word, jahannam, means "a dark storm" or "a stern expression." Both exemplify the seriousness of this punishment. The Qur'an says:

"Those who reject Faith, & die rejecting,- on them is Allaah's curse, & the curse of angels, & of all mankind. They will abide therein: Their penalty will not be lightened, nor will they receive respite" (02: 161-162).

"They are (men) whom Allaah hath cursed: And those whom Allaah Hath cursed, thou wilt find, have no one to help" (4:52).

Boiling Water

Normally water brings relief and puts out a fire. The water in Hell, though, is different.

"...Those who deny (their Lord), for them will be cut out a garment of Fire. Over their heads will be poured out boiling water. With it will be scalded what is within their bodies, as well as (their) skins. In addition there will be maces of iron (to punish) them. Every time they wish to get away therefrom, from anguish, they will be forced back, & (it will be said), "Taste the Penalty of Burning!" (22: 19-22).

"In front of such a one is Hell, and he is given, for drink, boiling fetid water" (14: 16).

"In its midst & in the midst of boiling hot water will they wander round!" (55: 44).

Tree of Zaqqum

Whereas the rewards of Heaven include plentiful, fresh fruits & milk, the inhabitants of Hell will eat from the Tree of Zaqqum. The Qur'an describes it:

"Is that the better entertainment or the Tree of Zaqqum? For We have truly made it (as) a trial for the wrong-doers. It is a tree that springs out of the bottom of Hell-Fire. The shoots of its fruit-stalks are like the heads of devils. Truly they will eat thereof & fill their bellies therewith. Then on top of that they will be given a mixture made of boiling water. Then shall their return be to the (Blazing) Fire" (37: 62-68).

"Verily, the tree of deadly fruit will be the food of the sinful. Like molten lead will it boil in the belly, like the boiling of burning despair" (44: 43-46).

No Second Chances

When they are dragged into Hell-Fire, many people will instantly regret the choices they made in their lives & will beg for another chance. The Qur'an warns such people:

"And those who followed would say: 'If only We had one more chance...' Thus will Allah show them (the fruits of) their deeds as (nothing but) regrets. Nor will there be a way for them out of the Fire" (2: 167)

The backbiter of scholars is deprived of mercy

Regretfully these days, a backbiting against Islamic scholars is done excessively. So, if Satan entices you to backbite about an Islamic scholar, then recall this statement of Sayyiduna Abu Hafs Kabeer and take precaution: "Whoever backbites a Faqih, on the Day of Judgement, it will be written on his face that, "This person is deprived from the mercy of Allah.' (Mukashafa-tul-Quloob, p. 71)

Dogs of Hell will bite them

No matter whether backbiting is of a scholar or of the public, it will nevertheless be backbiting. I swear by Allah! The punishment of backbiting will be unbearable. Once, the Holy Prophet (Pbuh) warned his companion Sayyiduna Mu'aaz (Ra): 'Refrain from backbiting people, or else the dogs of Hell will bite you.' (Tafseer Durr-ul-Mansoor, vol. 7, p. 572; Minhaj-ul-'Aabideen, p. 66)

If a dog attacks in the dark, then....

Dear Islamic brothers! First, read the aforementioned Hadees several times and then just imagine that it is a dark night - with utter silence - a dog is chasing you, barking behind you and you are thinking of a plan to escape. It suddenly leaps towards you and grabs your shirt. What would be your state then? Just ponder! If we backbit someone, then after death, the dogs of Hell do not just grab our clothes, they do not just grab our skin, but they start biting our flesh. Then what will happen to us?